Aaaarrrrggggghhhhh!

The day that Matt and my FIL, Don, left, the kids and I struck out on our first adventure alone. Boy, did we pick a 

fun and challenging one! Visiting the east coast is an authentic replica of a Spanish galleon, El Galeon. It is in 

celebration of 500 years of Florida history. Here are two links if you want to read about it.

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2013-04-19/spanish-galleon-visit-st-augustine-may#.Ub-Wucu9KSM

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2013-05-21-0#.Ub5ESsu9KSM

To say that it was not accessible to strollers is to put it mildly, so into my arms Little Man went! Princess was 

thankfully so brave and adventurous! I could not help her up and down ladders, steep stairs with no railing, or 

boat ramps with only rope to hold on to. We managed to see all three levels. I can not say that I would ever 

want to travel in that manner!

There are tales that Matt almost lost me to a young Spanish sailor......well, I don't think he had anything to worry 

about. ;)

Enjoy the pics!

We next went for gelato! Yum!

Next adventure to come soon!

Carousel Time!

After we tortured the kids with family pictures we rewarded them with our first ride on the local carousel. I say first, because there will be more! :)

Look at those feet! Cute!

Don't push the red button!!

Are you ever too old for the merry-go-round? 

Tomorrow? A real (authentic replica) Spanish Galleon! Aaarrrgggghhhh!

Family Beach Photos....The Planet Swordland Way

We all knw that as a family, well, beautiful and perfect family photos are a rarity. We try, really we do!   So why I expected any different on the beach.....I don't know. It was still fun!

                 I can not say that Little Man was all that thrilled with the sand.

While we were trying to take pics, a man near by caught a blacktailed shark! He was kind enough to let Hotrod and I hold it. It was pretty cool! We released it back into the ocean.

    Daddy love!

Ok....it doesn't get any cuter!

How are you supposed to take pics when your man is constantly doing things like this? We even tried the walking picture and he hummed "Chariots of Fire" the whole time! Could not stop laughing!

He is my man!

My favorite!

We ended this day with a fabulous date night. It was great! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for keeping all three munchkins!

Fort Castillo de San Marcos

Summer 2013 has officially started! 

After weeks of wrapping things up and getting ready, we jumped in the car and headed south to my FIL's family home in St. Augustine, FL. After a fantastic day on the beach, yesterday, we headed to Fort Castillo de San Marcos for the morning. 

The construction was started in 1672 and was finished in 1695. It is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. 

 

                          Inside the bunkers

 

                   On top facing the east corner

                      

                                      Son?

                   Princess loves her Aunt Grace!

           

                  Fire the cannon!

Why am I seeing images of the coyote on bugs bunny here?

                       Matt and my FIL, Don

                  What are you looking at guys?

    

               No lack of personality here!

She won't really leave us...

                  Right?....

         Mom???? 

We had a good time and looked forward to the air conditioning in the car! ;)

Spilled Coffee and Wildflowers

This is my version of motherhood right now.
Precious gifts of wildflowers, sweet talks, and yes, my coffee being spilled in the process by the giver of the wildflowers. I wish I could say that I did not get upset, but guess what? Mommas are human, too. Go figure.

Mommas need raising just as much as children do.